Does Anyone Else Think Tolkien is slightly Racist ad Sexist?

[Eldarwen Half-Elven]

Pandora Darkness

Considering the time it was written, alot of writers were very sexist back then, and racist. Women weren't even taken taken seriously as writers. That's why that lady pretended to be a man so they would publish her books.

I don't recall Jane Austen having quite that much of an issue...and her books were published long before Tolkien's works.

Also, racism? Seriously? What, because there isn't a black man in the films or something?

And if I recall, isn't this almost like Tolkien's own mythology for England? Therefore, why would there be anyone other than natives (and the like) in his books? *shrug* Just a thought.

[stargazer Skywise]

Eldarwen Half-Elven

Pandora Darkness

Considering the time it was written, alot of writers were very sexist back then, and racist. Women weren't even taken taken seriously as writers. That's why that lady pretended to be a man so they would publish her books.

I don't recall Jane Austen having quite that much of an issue...and her books were published long before Tolkien's works.

Also, racism? Seriously? What, because there isn't a black man in the films or something?

And if I recall, isn't this almost like Tolkien's own mythology for England? Therefore, why would there be anyone other than natives (and the like) in his books? *shrug* Just a thought.

Excellent point! As for the batman cosplays, Can I be Robin?

[alice_dreamer]

Yucale Twilightfang

Does anyone else think so? All the good guys are pale, and all women are just pretty ladies who mope over the heroes. Except Eowynn, who at the end of the series decides that fighting isn't decent for ladies and becomes a healer.

Don't get me wrong, LotR is my favorite series ever and I respect and admire Tolkien. But some things I disagree with. and I think that's fine because it makes me actually think about the story.

They movie made them seem weaker then they where in the books. Original the books where considered controversial because the women where so powerful, and held position of authority.
And as for the skin color, this was because the books where base on a viking myth, and Denmark mythology.

[Morgoth Morion]

Seems to me you're the only one here thinking that. But some Hultunen might agree if you said it in Finnish at a comic con in Hellsinki.

[MeGa DoToX]

This forum is talking about Lord of the Ring, I did not really know about Lord of the Ring, so pbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump

[NewAgeAntique]

Laura Vandemar

Go to fanfiction.net and look up Imladviel in a search. You'll find Arwen Imladviel and Imladviel. I'm both but that fic is on Imladviel. Forgot my password on the AI one and my email I used to sign up is dead now. sweatdrop

Gonna write a Bombadil script too once I get back home in december. Wanna be co-writer, I love your imagination!

Yay! *goes to read*
That's happened to me before. It took me forever to find my old account from middle school the other day. I had completely forgotten, not only my user name, but my password. hahaha I did find it after a while though. I had no idea I was so silly as a child, but it was fun to look back on.

Oh, I am so excited for that script. I'd love to co-write! And thanks! biggrin

-

I just tried to search for Imladviel on ff.net but only the Arwen account came up.

[Morgoth Morion]

Found her for you, Eruanne!

As for the poster above you... *sets him on fire and fries sausages in the flames*

[NewAgeAntique]

Morgoth Morion

Found her for you, Eruanne!

As for the poster above you... *sets him on fire and fries sausages in the flames*

Yay thanks! smile

*after the flames die out... feeds some of the roasted troll pieces to the flesh eating spiders in the Mirkwood*

[hello k!tty]

In nearly any book you could find things that appear racist or sexist. It comes down to how sensetive you are towards those kind of things and how hard you're looking for them.
I don't think Tolkein intended to offend anyone, therefore I do not consider his works racist or sexist.

[Morgoth Morion]

So, my dad using offensive language is not racist, because he doesn't think it's offensive? stressed

[NewAgeAntique]

Morogoth has a good point, the logic of ignorance equaling innocence is flawed, but I understand the point kitt!y is trying to make. It is fundamentally the same as what everyone else has been saying.
In summary; Tolkien's point of view was mostly time appropriate and true to the feelings of the myths he drew upon. Meaning the dark skinned inhabitants of middle earth lived in the south and since Morder is in the south it's evil influence was strongest amongst the inhabitants of the south. But Tolkien also include very strong female characters and dark haired elves so it balances out.

I think we may have exhausted this topic.

[hello k!tty]

but Tolkein wasn't using offensive language.
If the heros were dark skinned and the villans fair no one would have batted an eye.
Tolkein wasn't saying all dark skinned people of our world are evil, just the characters in his book.
If there was more evidance in Tolkeins character that would suggest he was racist, rather than nit-picking at his book I would be more inclined to the possibility of him being racist.

[Mr-StrifexX]

Think about the fighting between the Elves and the Dwarves...

[Laura Vandemar]

hello k!tty

but Tolkein wasn't using offensive language.
If the heros were dark skinned and the villans fair no one would have batted an eye.
Tolkein wasn't saying all dark skinned people of our world are evil, just the characters in his book.
If there was more evidance in Tolkeins character that would suggest he was racist, rather than nit-picking at his book I would be more inclined to the possibility of him being racist.

*gives you a brownie point, the kind that does your household chores for a plate of milk*